Arai ski resort, Japan’s powder legend, is back for 2017-18

Arai ski resort, Japan’s powder legend near Myoko, has been closed for 10 years. But thanks to Korea’s Lotte Group taking over it is back for 2017-18 totally revamped as the sensational new Lotte Arai Resort.

A lot of tasty terrain!
Driving past Arai on our way to Myoko late last February I was blown away by the terrain on offer at this ski area that just appeared almost next to the freeway. So much snow, so few trees, and magnificent untouched bowls begging to be skied. It didn’t look like anywhere else in Japan I had ever skied, so imagine my disappointment when my Niigata Tourism hosts told me it was closed.
Was closed. Not anymore! The lifts were mothballed for the past 10 years, with maintenance but no skiing. Then Korea’s #1 hotel company, Lotte Hotels & Resorts, purchased the area in 2015 and set about turning Arai into the premier destination that the mountain’s unique features always destined it to be.

Their stated goal is to turn Arai ski resort into “Asia’s best mountain resort”, while coexisting with the natural environment.

Arai snow facts:
How high is Arai? Summit of lifts 1289m +150m hike
What’s the vertical drop at Arai? The base is 329m, for 951m vertical drop off the lifts, 1101m if you hike the ridgeline.
What’s the average snowfall at Arai? 15m plus snowfall, not measured accurately – it’s closer to coast than Myoko so gets even more snow.
What’s the terrain mix at Arai? 11 courses (25% easy, 45% intermediate, 35% advanced) plus 10 avi-controlled freeride areas. Longest course is 5.2km
What are the lifts at Arai? 5 lifts including 1 gondola & 2 quads
How much are lift passe at Arai? Day adult ¥6000, child ¥4800, Jnr ¥3800